AN active travel route linking Lochgilphead’s Front Green with the Crinan Canal has been given the go-ahead.
Argyll and Bute Council planning officers have agreed to an application for permission from elsewhere within the authority, with the proposal described as a “no-brainer”.
Two expressions of support were received by the council during the planning process, along with one neutral representation.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The proposal looks to provide further recreational facilities additional to the environmental enhancements: formation of new play area, area of hard-standing, picnic area, shelter, tree planting, path enhancements, raised levels and seating wall which were approved in 2019.
“National Planning Framework 4 policies 25 (community wealth building) and 29 (rural development) give support to community developments that contribute to the viability and sustainability of rural communities and local economic priorities such as tourism and in particular opportunities to enhance town centres.
“Local Development Plan 2 policy 49 (sport, recreation and community facilities) supports the provision of new sport, recreation and community facilities outwith the settlement areas where there is an operational justification for the location, and the development is of a form and scale commensurate to the nature of the facility and the community it serves.
“National planning framework policies 21 (play, recreation and sport) and 31 (culture and creativity) are also supportive of new and enhanced facilities and the creation of new, public open spaces. The principle of the development is therefore acceptable,
“It is considered that there are no relevant material considerations which would prevent planning permission being granted for the scheme of development applied for in this instance.”
